River Hawks Conclude Road Trip at Stonehill, Host Emerson Over Holiday

UMass Lowell men’s basketball team is currently navigating a challenging season with a 1-6 record as they conclude a demanding five-game road trip. This week, they face two critical matchups surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday.

Upcoming Games

The River Hawks will wrap up their road trip on Wednesday, November 26, against Stonehill, whose current record stands at 2-5. The game is scheduled for 12 p.m. A win in this contest would elevate UMass Lowell’s all-time record against Stonehill to 10-6 and bring their season record to 2-6. Furthermore, it would mark their first road victory of the year and continue their winning streak against Stonehill to six games.

Next Match: Hosting Emerson

On Saturday, November 29, UMass Lowell will host Emerson at 1 p.m. This game is another opportunity for the River Hawks to improve their standing.

Recent Performance

In their last outing on November 22, UMass Lowell narrowly lost to Saint Peter’s with a score of 68-66. Senior player Austin Green was instrumental, scoring a game-high of 19 points and securing 10 rebounds, which resulted in his second double-double of the season. Freshman JJ Massaquoi also contributed significantly, adding 18 points to the total. Six other players managed to score during the matchup.

Key Players

• JJ Massaquoi: Leading scorer with an average of 15.4 points per game.
• Austin Green: Second leading scorer with 13.7 points and a key rebounder averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.
• Xavier Spencer: Contributing 8.4 points per game and a team-high 26 assists.
• Shawn Simmons II: Leading in blocks with 10.

Emerging Talent

Rookie JJ Massaquoi has been particularly impressive, securing double-digit points in five out of seven games this season. He achieved a personal best of 26 points in a game against Wake Forest and earned the America East Rookie of the Week title on November 24.

Growth Amid Challenges

Despite facing a six-game losing streak, the River Hawks have shown promise, leading at halftime in three of their last five games. This suggests that the team is developing positively, even if the results have not yet reflected this growth.

Looking Ahead

The River Hawks will need to navigate a tough non-conference schedule, featuring ten road games compared to only five at home. Their home venue, the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex, has been favorable, boasting a 42-6 record since the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

As the River Hawks conclude their road trip at Stonehill and host Emerson over the holiday, fans look forward to seeing how these developments will shape the rest of their season.